Allison Goertzen: Waaaay back in 2011 I stumbled across a nail art tutorial on YouTube by CutePolish, and I knew I had to give it a shot. Once I started, I was HOOKED! I absolutely loved playing with nail polish; all my friends and family ended up being my guinea pigs for new designs to try. After graduating high school in 2014 I moved on to leaning gel nails and I was obsessed! Eventually, in 2016 I went to school for aesthetics and the rest is history.

NAILS: Why did you enter NTNA S. 7?

AG: I entered because I was looking for an opportunity to further grow my skill sets. It was the push I needed to start learning videography and to work on my teaching skills. Making videos is something I’ve wanted to do for so long and NTNA was the perfect outlet for that. I also just really wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.

NAILS: What has been the thing that's surprised you most about competing?

AG: What surprised me most was how amazingly supportive the entire NTNA community is. I feel like I have a nail family now. Even though this is a competition, everyone is SO friendly and accepting with each other. I didn’t expect to get so close to so many wonderful nail artists throughout this experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

NAILS: Do you have a favorite NTNA challenge?

AG: Wow that’s a difficult choice! I would probably have to say the first CND English Garden challenge. It was extremely difficult because we had lots of restrictions, however I found that it really forced me to research the topic and think outside the box. Working with the Shellac top coat was really fun because it’s so flexible and made my vision possible! I also had a lot of fun making the video with the skit. I love acting so it was a great creative outlet for me!

NAILS: What's been the most valuable thing you've learned so far, being in the competition?

AG: I have learned to trust myself and my artistic instincts. In the past, self doubt has stopped me from creating; thinking my work wasn’t good enough to show the world. I’ve discovered a new confidence in myself that is worth more than any amount of money! I highly recommend if you’ve been thinking of entering NTNA and you are unsure if you are good enough, just do it; you will grow exponentially!

NAILS: What do you want to be known for within the nail industry?

AG: I want to be known for creating/sharing the best entertaining and educational content for Nail Technicians. My goal is to inspire and show others that they have the ability to make a full-time income doing something they love. I just want to give back to the industry that has given me so much. I have truly found a passion for teaching and videography and I would love the opportunity to do more of that in the future!

NAILS: How would you describe your nail art style?

AG: I would describe my style as “inspired." I know what you’re thinking, what does that even mean?! Well I like to think that I have a talent for taking on the unique characteristics of my client and translating that into nail art. So, whether you are a pastel goth, a quirky minimalist, or a girly-girl who has a passion for baking cakes, I can create something that is tailored to that style.

NAILS: What about your own nails -- how do you like to wear them?

AG: I almost ALWAYS wear different nail art on both hands, I like to think of it as my signature look. Usually the theme is similar with a different colour scheme on each hand but sometimes they will be completely random! It usually gets people’s attention so they will ask about my nails, and that is my secret to getting a new client! And of course, I always like to add a little (or a lot) of bling on my nails!

NAILS: How long have you been closed due to COVID? What have you been doing to pass the time?

AG: I’ve been closed since March 16th and thank goodness for NTNA because it gave me a distraction and something to focus on. With any extra free time, I’ve spent it cooking or baking as well as just taking time for myself to refresh and recharge! I think it's super important to take time especially right now to focus on our mental and physical health so that has been a main priority for me!

NTNA Challenge 8

NAILS: What are you most looking forward to when things get back to "normal?"

AG: I am really looking forward to reconnecting with my clients as I’m sure most of us are! I have soooo many nail art ideas and I just can’t wait to start creating with them. I feel like we tend to form deep connections with our clients because we spend so much time with them, and not getting to talk to them everyday is so difficult!

NAILS: What do you bring to the finale that's unique?

AG: I believe I bring a unique ability to tell a story though the art of nails and video combined. When I plan for each challenge, I like to think of the overall impact that it will leave. I aim to create an experience that will leave the viewer inspired to create something themselves.

NAILS: What do you think are the strengths of your fellow Top 2 competitors?

AG: Firstly, I want to say these two women are so amazingly talented in their own unique ways and I am so honoured to be along side them in the finale. I would say Giselle’s strengths include her enthusiasm and her ability to inspire. I always feel so uplifted after watching her videos, she really has a way of mesmerizing you with her insane gift of sculpting nails. Stella’s strengths include her ability to combine engineering with nail art; when she creates something, you will be left thinking, HOW did she do that?! And then she explains it her videos in a way that’s super professional and easy to follow.

NTNA Challenge 5

NAILS: Who are your nail icons? Who would you love to meet or work with within the nail industry?

Oh my gosh there are SO many! I really would like to meet and work with other NTNA competitors such as Season 6 winner, Ashton Harlan. In fact, Ashton gave me the push I needed to enter this competition. We were talking one day when she was working on her final project for NTNA and she told me that I should just go for it. Hearing that from someone as talented as her really meant a lot to me and I am forever grateful for the extra confidence boost that she gave me! I hope one day I can do that for someone else.

AG: I would say my biggest advice to nail pros right now is if you are considering entering NTNA, DO IT!! In my opinion, it is such an amazing way to gain confidence and to learn new skills that will elevate you in your profession. If you are looking for ways to spend your extra free time right now, consider practicing some different nail art mediums or learning how to edit videos. The best investment you will ever make is in yourself! And this will help prepare you and give you an advantage in the competition. If you ever have any questions about NTNA, I am an open book, so feel free to reach out to me!

NAILS: What are you favorite nail products?

AG: CRYSTALS! I don’t feel like a set is complete without some sort of embellishments. I am SO obsessed with collecting more and more crystals, I can never have enough! When they sparkle in the light it is just so magical and it will make you feel like a QUEEN!

“How do I get a cover?” is a question I get asked nearly every day — so, dear readers, here is your chance. Before you go to www.nailsmag.com/ctentry20 and share your work with us, here are my tips for entering a successful submission.

In a recent interview with NTNA champion and NAILS guest editor Valerie Ducharme, she reminded me that everything happens too quickly, and that the best course of action is usually to enjoy the moment rather than dread it.